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Communities Invited to Compete for $25,000 Prize Saluting Accessibility
COMMUNITIES OF AMERICA INVITED TO COMPETE FOR $25,000 PRIZE SALUTING ACCESS FOR CITIZENS WITH DISABILITIES
WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26—On the eleventh anniversary of the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the National Organization on Disability (N.O.D.) today announced a $25,000 "Accessible America 2001" award competition open to all cities and towns across the nation. Cities and towns are encouraged to enter and showcase how their citizens with disabilities are participating in and contributing to their communities. The competition, announced at a Capitol Hill event this afternoon commemorating the ADA’s passage, is sponsored by United Parcel Service.
N.O.D. has sent a letter to America’s mayors urging them to enter the competition. Nancy Starnes, the Director of N.O.D.’s Community Partnership Program and herself a former Mayor of Sparta, N.J., notes that, "While much attention is paid to the importance of national laws and efforts on behalf of America’s 54 million citizens with disabilities, it’s important to remember that the spirit and intent of the law is played out for all citizens in their own town or city. Having their community as a welcoming and accessible partner is the key to maximizing everyone’s participation in and enjoyment of life, and opportunity to contribute to society," said Ms. Starnes, a wheelchair user who speaks from experience.
The winner of the competition will be a city or town where citizens with disabilities have access to jobs, education, religious worship, voting, transportation, housing, and the full range of local, social, recreational, cultural, and sports activities. The winning city or town will be one where people with disabilities are equal participants in the life of their community.
To enter the competition, mayors will submit a three-page statement describing how their city or town’s citizens with disabilities participate in community life. Entries must be received by N.O.D. no later than December 31, 2001. Additional information is posted on N.O.D.’s newly redesigned Web site. Nancy Starnes can be reached at 202/293-5960 or by e-mail.
"The Americans with Disabilities Act has brought great advances toward our goal of full and equal participation of all people with disabilities in all aspects of American life," said N.O.D. President Alan A. Reich. "Because the communities of our country are where people go about their lives, that is where progress must be made. Great challenges remain. Those of us with disabilities want to participate and contribute fully to the life of our communities—just like everyone else."
The National Organization on Disability, founded in 1982, promotes the full and equal participation and contribution of America’s 54 million men, women and children with disabilities in all aspects of life. N.O.D. is funded entirely by private donations and accepts no government funding. For more information about N.O.D.’s programs, visit the NOD Web site.
Contact:
Brewster Thackeray, Director of Communications
202-293-5960
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